Three Recent Rock Shows

In the past couple of weeks, I've made a point to go out and see local bands playing live again. See, when I first moved back to the States from the NL, I got the idea that I would try to get a band started, but although that didn't really happen (I changed my mind and started pursuing DJing), I did manage to go to a string of rock shows where local bands I knew were playing. Now, although I'm not sure I've actually mentioned it in as many words here on the blog, I'm currently trying to get a band started once again, and this time I'm taking it much more seriously.

So, I've seen three shows in the past couple weeks. The first was Vortex Park's show at Smith's Olde Bar along with a couple other more traditional bluegrass bands. The violinist of the band is a friend of mine and the same guy with whom I was invited to jam at a show a few months ago. Anyway, Vortex Park has a quasi-bluegrass feel mixed with more dramatic rock elements; they put on a good show and are all good musicians, so it's fun to see them.

The second show was only two days later: I saw my friend Mike Felker's pop-punk band The Status play the headlining slot at the Masquerade. I've seen them twice already, and it's clear that in the time since I last caught them live they've gotten pretty big...they're now signed to a label and are going on tour soon. Anyway, Mike was kind enough to talk to be before and after the show, and we're planning on getting together soon to jam, which should be fun.

Finally, the most recent show I saw was yet another Today the Moon, Tomorrow the Sun show. This time they played at Lenny's with three other bands I managed to see, all of which were nowhere near as good as them (especially this one group with a lead singer who plays harp). And although the sound still wasn't near as good as it was at their first gig I went to, they still rocked out and gave a great show. Jeremy, the drummer, was even nice enough to give me one of their CDs, and Cregg, the lead guitarist, introduced me to a guy they knew who was looking to get a band started (more on that later?).

Overall, I'm really enjoying seeing all these local bands. I go to these shows for a number of reasons, most importantly to get to know the people and the scene, but they always end up turning out to be quite fun, even if some of the bands aren't that great.